The Everton defender was booked for his challenge early on in the Merseyside derby
James Tarkowski was deemed “very lucky” to escape a red card for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby.
The Everton defender was booked in the 11th minute after he followed through with his clearance and caught the Liverpool midfielder.
“That’s a potential leg breaker,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “I think he’s very lucky there.
“There will be those saying it’s a natural follow through, trust me, being a defender – [Jamie] Carragher in the studio will be able to tell you even better than me – you do not need to follow through like that and with such force.”
🗣️ "That's a potential leg breaker"
Gary Neville believes James Tarkowski was 'very lucky' to escape red for this challenge on Alexis Mac Allister 😳 pic.twitter.com/Di28mHouq2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
“It’s high,” Neville added before audibly puffing out his cheeks. “Very lucky.”
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special: “He should have gone to the screen and he should be off. It is a horrible challenge.”
With the challenge given a yellow card by referee Samuel Barrott, the VAR Paul Tierney could only have intervened if deeming the incident “serious foul play”.
However, the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X clarified that the tackle was viewed as “reckless” and thus no further action was taken.
The account posted: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
In response, Dean said: “”I don’t care what the Match Centre says. It was a stonewall red card.”
Everton's James Tarkowski (centre) is shown a yellow card by referee Sam Barrott after a foul on Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister (not pictured) during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Wednesday April 2, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Everton’s James Tarkowski (centre) is shown a yellow card by referee Sam Barrott (Photo: PA)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was clearly stunned by the decision, shaking his head after protesting with fourth official Darren Bond.
Tarkowski scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser the previous time these two sides met, the 2-2 draw that will go down as Goodison Park’s final, memorable Merseyside derby.